Search

Cassava cultivation is associated with a wide range of diseases that seriously undermine the food and economic security in African countries. The most notable of these is CMD, caused by a complex of cassava mosaic geminiviruses (CMGs; Geminiviridae, Begomovirus). To better understand the epidemiology of CMD as a major constraint of cassava production, we investigated a large-scale plant epidemiological survey in Central African Republic (CAR) and Madagascar. CMD was shown to be the most serious constraint to cassava in both countries with an average incidence of 85% in CAR (Harimalala et al., Plant Pathol. 2015; Zinga et al., Crop Protection 2013). Importantly, 94% and 95% of diseased plants collected in CAR and Madagascar, respectively, had cutting-derived CMD infection, suggesting that farmers mostly use virus-infected cuttings for planting. Molecular diagnosis revealed that the causal agents of CMD in CAR, Chad (Zinga et al., NDR 2012), and Burkina Faso (Tiendrébéogo et al., Plant Pathol. 2009) are ACMV and/or EACMV-UG. We also demonstrated that 58% of CMD samples of CAR present mixed infections (ACMV and EACMV-UG) and that the severity of symptoms was significantly higher in these samples (Zinga et al., NDR 2013). Molecular diagnosis of CMGs in Madagascar revealed an unprecedented diversity of six species: ACMV, EACMCV, EACMKV, EACMV, SACMV, and CMMGV (Harimalala et al., Plant Pathol. 2015; Harimalala et al., Arch. Virol. 2012). Distinct geographical distributions were observed for the six species in Madagascar. While ACMV was more prevalent in the central highlands, EACMV and EACMKV were prevalent in lowlands and coastal regions. Molecular diagnosis revealed that mixed infection (up to four co-infected viruses) occurred in 21% of the samples and was associated with higher symptom severity scores. All our results suggest that mixed infection and synergism between CMGs could be an important feature in the low yields of cassava plants in these countries, similar t

BACKGROUND and OBJECTIVES Cassava is the staple food for hundreds of millions of people in Africa but its cultivation is seriously constrained by cassava mosaic disease (CMD) in Madagascar and in Africa in general. We have undertaken (1) to identify the cassava mosaic geminiviruses (CMGs) involved in CMD in Madagascar and their epidemiological characteristics from country-wide surveys, and (2) to study the genetic and spatial structure of Malagasy CMGs populations. MATERIAL and METHODS Altogether 708 cassava leaf samples were collected with and without CMD symptoms from the main cassavagrowing areas of Madagascar during 2009 to 2011. Prevalence and symptom severity of CMD, origin of infection (whitefly or cutting), and abundance of whiteflies were assessed. RESULTS Molecular diagnosis of CMGs in Madagascar revealed an unprecedented diversity and co-occurrence of six CMGs. Distinct geographical distributions were observed for the six viruses. While EACMCV and SACMV were widespread, ACMV was more prevalent in the central highlands, and EACMV and EACMKV were prevalent in lowlands and coastal regions. PCR diagnosis revealed that mixed infection (up to four co-infected viruses) occurred in 21% of the samples and were associated with higher symptom severity scores. Pairwise comparisons of virus associations showed that EACMCV was found in mixed infections more often than expected while ACMV and SACMV were mostly found in single infections. Even if the whitefly vector Bemisia tabaci was more abundant in lowland and coastal areas, infected cuttings remain the primary source of CMD propagation (95%) in Madagascar. SACMV and ACMV, the two most prevalent viruses, displayed low degrees of genetic diversity and have most likely been introduced to the island only once. By contrast, EACMV-like CMG populations (EACMV, EAMCKV, EACMCV and complex recombinants of these) were more diverse, more spatially structured, and displayed evidence of at least three independent introductions fro

Cassava cultivation is associated with a wide range of diseases that seriously undermine the food and economic security in African countries. The most notable of these is CMD, caused by a complex of cassava mosaic geminiviruses (CMGs; Geminiviridae, Begomovirus). To better understand the epidemiology of CMD as a major constraint of cassava production, we investigated a large-scale plant epidemiological survey in Central African Republic (CAR) and Madagascar. CMD was shown to be the most serious constraint to cassava in both countries with an average incidence of 85% in CAR (Harimalala et al., Plant Pathol. 2015; Zinga et al., Crop Protection 2013). Importantly, 94% and 95% of diseased plants collected in CAR and Madagascar, respectively, had cutting-derived CMD infection, suggesting that farmers mostly use virus-infected cuttings for planting. Molecular diagnosis revealed that the causal agents of CMD in CAR, Chad (Zinga et al., NDR 2012), and Burkina Faso (Tiendrébéogo et al., Plant Pathol. 2009) are ACMV and/or EACMV-UG. We also demonstrated that 58% of CMD samples of CAR present mixed infections (ACMV and EACMV-UG) and that the severity of symptoms was significantly higher in these samples (Zinga et al., NDR 2013). Molecular diagnosis of CMGs in Madagascar revealed an unprecedented diversity of six species: ACMV, EACMCV, EACMKV, EACMV, SACMV, and CMMGV (Harimalala et al., Plant Pathol. 2015; Harimalala et al., Arch. Virol. 2012). Distinct geographical distributions were observed for the six species in Madagascar. While ACMV was more prevalent in the central highlands, EACMV and EACMKV were prevalent in lowlands and coastal regions. Molecular diagnosis revealed that mixed infection (up to four co-infected viruses) occurred in 21% of the samples and was associated with higher symptom severity scores. All our results suggest that mixed infection and synergism between CMGs could be an important feature in the low yields of cassava plants in these countries, similar t

BACKGROUND and OBJECTIVES Cassava is the staple food for hundreds of millions of people in Africa but its cultivation is seriously constrained by cassava mosaic disease (CMD) in Madagascar and in Africa in general. We have undertaken (1) to identify the cassava mosaic geminiviruses (CMGs) involved in CMD in Madagascar and their epidemiological characteristics from country-wide surveys, and (2) to study the genetic and spatial structure of Malagasy CMGs populations. MATERIAL and METHODS Altogether 708 cassava leaf samples were collected with and without CMD symptoms from the main cassavagrowing areas of Madagascar during 2009 to 2011. Prevalence and symptom severity of CMD, origin of infection (whitefly or cutting), and abundance of whiteflies were assessed. RESULTS Molecular diagnosis of CMGs in Madagascar revealed an unprecedented diversity and co-occurrence of six CMGs. Distinct geographical distributions were observed for the six viruses. While EACMCV and SACMV were widespread, ACMV was more prevalent in the central highlands, and EACMV and EACMKV were prevalent in lowlands and coastal regions. PCR diagnosis revealed that mixed infection (up to four co-infected viruses) occurred in 21% of the samples and were associated with higher symptom severity scores. Pairwise comparisons of virus associations showed that EACMCV was found in mixed infections more often than expected while ACMV and SACMV were mostly found in single infections. Even if the whitefly vector Bemisia tabaci was more abundant in lowland and coastal areas, infected cuttings remain the primary source of CMD propagation (95%) in Madagascar. SACMV and ACMV, the two most prevalent viruses, displayed low degrees of genetic diversity and have most likely been introduced to the island only once. By contrast, EACMV-like CMG populations (EACMV, EAMCKV, EACMCV and complex recombinants of these) were more diverse, more spatially structured, and displayed evidence of at least three independent introductions fro

Cassava is the staple food for hundreds of millions of people in Africa but its cultivation is seriously constrained by cassava mosaic disease (CMD) in Madagascar and in Africa in general. In this study, we first identified the cassava mosaic geminiviruses (CMGs) involved in CMD in Madagascar and their associated epidemiological characteristics from countrywide surveys. Molecular diagnosis of CMGs in Madagascar revealed an unprecedented diversity and co-occurrence of six CMGs. Distinct geographical distributions were observed for the six viruses. While EACMCV and SACMV were widespread, ACMV was more prevalent in the central highlands, and EACMV and EACMKV were prevalent in lowlands and coastal regions. PCR diagnosis revealed that mixed infection (up to four co-infected viruses) occurred in 21% of the samples and were associated with higher symptom severity scores. Pairwise comparisons of virus associations showed that EACMCV was found in mixed infections more often than expected while ACMV and SACMV were mostly found in single infections. Even if the whitefly vector Bemisia tabaci was more abundant in lowland and coastal areas, infected cuttings remain the primary source of CMD propagation (95%) in Madagascar. Secondly, the genetic and spatial structure of CMGs populations was studied and we applied Bayesian phylogeographic modelling to infer the origins of Madagascan CMG populations within the epidemiological context of related populations situated on mainland Africa and other south western Indian Ocean islands. SACMV and ACMV, the two most prevalent viruses, displayed low degrees of genetic diversity and have most likely been introduced to the island only once. By contrast, EACMV-like CMG populations (EACMV, EAMCKV, EACMCV and complex recombinants of these) were more diverse, more spatially structured, and displayed evidence of at least three independent introductions from mainland Africa. Our study highlights both the complexity of CMD on Madagascar, and the dist

Cassava is the staple food for hundreds of millions of people in Africa but its cultivation is seriously constrained by cassava mosaic disease (CMD) in Madagascar and in Africa in general. In this study, we first identified the cassava mosaic geminiviruses (CMGs) involved in CMD in Madagascar and their associated epidemiological characteristics from countrywide surveys. Molecular diagnosis of CMGs in Madagascar revealed an unprecedented diversity and co-occurrence of six CMGs. Distinct geographical distributions were observed for the six viruses. While EACMCV and SACMV were widespread, ACMV was more prevalent in the central highlands, and EACMV and EACMKV were prevalent in lowlands and coastal regions. PCR diagnosis revealed that mixed infection (up to four co-infected viruses) occurred in 21% of the samples and were associated with higher symptom severity scores. Pairwise comparisons of virus associations showed that EACMCV was found in mixed infections more often than expected while ACMV and SACMV were mostly found in single infections. Even if the whitefly vector Bemisia tabaci was more abundant in lowland and coastal areas, infected cuttings remain the primary source of CMD propagation (95%) in Madagascar. Secondly, the genetic and spatial structure of CMGs populations was studied and we applied Bayesian phylogeographic modelling to infer the origins of Madagascan CMG populations within the epidemiological context of related populations situated on mainland Africa and other south western Indian Ocean islands. SACMV and ACMV, the two most prevalent viruses, displayed low degrees of genetic diversity and have most likely been introduced to the island only once. By contrast, EACMV-like CMG populations (EACMV, EAMCKV, EACMCV and complex recombinants of these) were more diverse, more spatially structured, and displayed evidence of at least three independent introductions from mainland Africa. Our study highlights both the complexity of CMD on Madagascar, and the dist

Cassava mosaic disease (CMD) caused by cassava mosaic geminiviruses (CMGs, Geminiviridae) is a major threat on cassava production throughout Africa. In Madagascar, severe symptoms with high prevalence of CMD were observed. From 700 mostly symptomatic cassava leaves, we undertook molecular characterization of the CMGs involved. The PCR diagnosis confirmed the presence of CMGs in Madagascar and six species were detected with the frequent occurrence of mixed infections. Based on rolling circle amplification, cloning and sequencing, we obtained full genome sequences of 281 DNA-A and 119 DNA-B of CMGs. DNA-A sequences were most closely related to those of African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV), South African cassava mosaic virus (SACMV), East African cassava mosaic virus (EACMV), East African cassava mosaic Cameroon virus (EACMCV), East African cassava mosaic Kenya virus (EACMKV) and a new species named cassava mosaic Madagascar virus (CMMGV). DNAB sequences were most closely related to those of ACMV, EACMKV, EACMCV and CMMGV. Phylogenetic reconstruction allowed to assess the geographical structure of CMG populations and to determine the recent history of CMG migrations in Madagascar. Taken together, our results point to Madagascar as a potential major center of begomovirus diversity.

Cassava mosaic disease (CMD) caused by cassava mosaic geminiviruses (CMGs, Geminiviridae) is a major threat on cassava production throughout Africa. In Madagascar, severe symptoms with high prevalence of CMD were observed. From 700 mostly symptomatic cassava leaves, we undertook molecular characterization of the CMGs involved. The PCR diagnosis confirmed the presence of CMGs in Madagascar and six species were detected with the frequent occurrence of mixed infections. Based on rolling circle amplification, cloning and sequencing, we obtained full genome sequences of 281 DNA-A and 119 DNA-B of CMGs. DNA-A sequences were most closely related to those of African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV), South African cassava mosaic virus (SACMV), East African cassava mosaic virus (EACMV), East African cassava mosaic Cameroon virus (EACMCV), East African cassava mosaic Kenya virus (EACMKV) and a new species named cassava mosaic Madagascar virus (CMMGV). DNAB sequences were most closely related to those of ACMV, EACMKV, EACMCV and CMMGV. Phylogenetic reconstruction allowed to assess the geographical structure of CMG populations and to determine the recent history of CMG migrations in Madagascar. Taken together, our results point to Madagascar as a potential major center of begomovirus diversity.

Les bégomovirus (Geminiviridae) transmis par l'aleurode Bemisia tabaci sont responsables de nombreuses maladies virales d'importance économique, notamment en ce qui concerne la culture du manioc, essentielle en Afrique. A Madagascar, la maladie de la mosaïque du manioc (CMD) est une préoccupation agronomique majeure, le manioc constituant une denrée de réserve et une base alimentaire pour la population paysanne. Face à l'incidence élevée de la maladie et à la sévérité des symptômes observés sur le terrain, nous avons entrepris une caractérisation moléculaire des bégomovirus bipartites (CMGs) impliqués dans la CMD. Depuis 2006, nous avons récolté plus de 300 échantillons foliaires de manioc symptomatique à travers le pays. Pour l'ensemble des échantillons, des amorces PCR universelles ont d'une part démontré la présence de bégomovirus ; d'autre part, le design et l'utilisation d'amorces PCR spécifiques ont permis d'identifier la présence inédite de quatre espèces de CMGs à Madagascar, à savoir l'African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV), l'East African cassava mosaic virus (EACMV), l'East African cassava mosaic Kenya virus (EACMKV) et le South African cassava mosaic virus (SACMV). Par ailleurs, 35% des échantillons se sont révélés être co-infectés par deux (26%), trois (8%), voire quatre (1%) espèces de CMGs, ceci se traduisant à l'échelle du pays par un large chevauchement des aires de répartition des espèces de CMGs. Afin de caractériser les relations phylogénétiques entre les CMGs malgaches et leurs liens de parenté avec les isolats africains, nous avons entrepris de cloner et séquencer à large échelle leurs ADN-A et ADN-B. Les premières séquences de génomes complets (102 ADN-A et 12 ADN-B) confirment la présence des trois principaux génotypes de CMGs connus (ACMV, EACMV et SACMV) à Madagascar, ainsi que d'une nouvelle espèce virale nommée provisoirement South East African cassava mosaic virus (SEACMV). En conclusion, le territoire malgache semble héberger des CMGs d'un

Plants are continuously confronted with a multitude attack either abiotic but also biotic in nature. Interestingly, despite the abundance of bacteria that plant has to face, only few are able to induce death or disease in the host plant. It is therefore likely that, in addition to secondary metabolites with antimicrobial properties, plants also synthesize secondary metabolites which are able to inhibit the expression of virulence genes in bacteria without affecting either growth or viability, which allows plants to host willingly or not bacterial populations. This work focuses on the identification of such metabolites in Malagasy plants (genera Dalbergia and Combretum) and the demonstration of their inhibitory effect on the expression of virulence genes in two different pathosystems: Rhodococcus fascians (a phytopathogen) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (an opportunistic pathogen). Thus, two metabolites were isolated using a combination of chromatographic techniques coupled with tests that evaluate the expression of certain genes involved in the virulence mechanisms of these bacteria. The first is a new prenylated isoflavanone, named perbergin, isolated from the bark extract of D. pervillei. It was shown that the perbergin target attR gene expression, encoding a LysR-type transcriptional regulator that plays a key role in regulating the expression of virulence genes of R. fascians and the transition from an epiphytic to a pathogenic lifestyle. Therefore, we have also shown that the expression of all virulence genes known to date in R. fascians is also affected while the expression of genes involved in epiphytic fitness of the bacteria is not altered. In addition, the application of perbergin at the time of infection of plants susceptible to R. fascians shows that this molecule reduces in vivo the virulence of R. fascians, highlighting the potential of perbergin as an anti-infective agent. The second is a flavonoid known as catechin, isolated from the bark extract of C. a, Doctorat en Sciences, info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Les bégomovirus (Geminiviridae) transmis par l'aleurode Bemisia tabaci sont responsables de nombreuses maladies virales d'importance économique, notamment en ce qui concerne la culture du manioc, essentielle en Afrique. A Madagascar, la maladie de la mosaïque du manioc (CMD) est une préoccupation agronomique majeure, le manioc constituant une denrée de réserve et une base alimentaire pour la population paysanne. Face à l'incidence élevée de la maladie et à la sévérité des symptômes observés sur le terrain, nous avons entrepris une caractérisation moléculaire des bégomovirus bipartites (CMGs) impliqués dans la CMD. Depuis 2006, nous avons récolté plus de 300 échantillons foliaires de manioc symptomatique à travers le pays. Pour l'ensemble des échantillons, des amorces PCR universelles ont d'une part démontré la présence de bégomovirus ; d'autre part, le design et l'utilisation d'amorces PCR spécifiques ont permis d'identifier la présence inédite de quatre espèces de CMGs à Madagascar, à savoir l'African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV), l'East African cassava mosaic virus (EACMV), l'East African cassava mosaic Kenya virus (EACMKV) et le South African cassava mosaic virus (SACMV). Par ailleurs, 35% des échantillons se sont révélés être co-infectés par deux (26%), trois (8%), voire quatre (1%) espèces de CMGs, ceci se traduisant à l'échelle du pays par un large chevauchement des aires de répartition des espèces de CMGs. Afin de caractériser les relations phylogénétiques entre les CMGs malgaches et leurs liens de parenté avec les isolats africains, nous avons entrepris de cloner et séquencer à large échelle leurs ADN-A et ADN-B. Les premières séquences de génomes complets (102 ADN-A et 12 ADN-B) confirment la présence des trois principaux génotypes de CMGs connus (ACMV, EACMV et SACMV) à Madagascar, ainsi que d'une nouvelle espèce virale nommée provisoirement South East African cassava mosaic virus (SEACMV). En conclusion, le territoire malgache semble héberger des CMGs d'un

Plants are continuously confronted with a multitude attack either abiotic but also biotic in nature. Interestingly, despite the abundance of bacteria that plant has to face, only few are able to induce death or disease in the host plant. It is therefore likely that, in addition to secondary metabolites with antimicrobial properties, plants also synthesize secondary metabolites which are able to inhibit the expression of virulence genes in bacteria without affecting either growth or viability, which allows plants to host willingly or not bacterial populations. This work focuses on the identification of such metabolites in Malagasy plants (genera Dalbergia and Combretum) and the demonstration of their inhibitory effect on the expression of virulence genes in two different pathosystems: Rhodococcus fascians (a phytopathogen) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (an opportunistic pathogen). Thus, two metabolites were isolated using a combination of chromatographic techniques coupled with tests that evaluate the expression of certain genes involved in the virulence mechanisms of these bacteria. The first is a new prenylated isoflavanone, named perbergin, isolated from the bark extract of D. pervillei. It was shown that the perbergin target attR gene expression, encoding a LysR-type transcriptional regulator that plays a key role in regulating the expression of virulence genes of R. fascians and the transition from an epiphytic to a pathogenic lifestyle. Therefore, we have also shown that the expression of all virulence genes known to date in R. fascians is also affected while the expression of genes involved in epiphytic fitness of the bacteria is not altered. In addition, the application of perbergin at the time of infection of plants susceptible to R. fascians shows that this molecule reduces in vivo the virulence of R. fascians, highlighting the potential of perbergin as an anti-infective agent. The second is a flavonoid known as catechin, isolated from the bark extract of C. a, Doctorat en Sciences, info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished